Editor’s Note: “The Reel Black List” is our annual spotlight of brothers and sisters in the worlds of advertising, film, TV, music, radio and media who are making a difference through their contributions and creativity daily. For the next 29 days, you will be able to celebrate wonderful human beings, like acclaimed bodybuilder Tony Pearson.
Tony is a luminary of the 1980s bodybuilding scene whose legacy continues to inspire to this day. Renowned for his exceptional shoulder-to-waist ratio, Pearson’s physical prowess stands as a testament to the pinnacle of the sport’s aesthetics. Often likened to the iconic Michael Jackson, his presence transcends muscle, exuding an electrifying charm that captivated audiences worldwide.
With over three decades of dedication, Pearson’s impact on bodybuilding is undeniable. His accolades include the prestigious NABBA Pro Mr. Universe and the esteemed WBBG Mr. World titles. Beyond the accolades, his sculpted form graced the covers of revered magazines, becoming a visual anthem of his dedication and achievement.
Yet, beneath the triumphs lies a story of transformation. Pearson’s foray into bodybuilding emerged from a harrowing childhood marked by unimaginable abuse inflicted by his own Aunt, who became his guardian at a very young age. Bodybuilding became his refuge, not only offering an escape but a path to reclaim his life. Tony Pearson’s journey encapsulates the resilience of the human spirit, turning scars into strength and sculpting a legacy that extends far beyond the stage.
Tony is featured in the documentary feature film Driven: The Tony Pearson Story which is available now on all top streaming platforms.
Let’s meet Tony!
What’s your origin story?
I had a tough upbringing. It was a hard road to get to where I am today. I started off picking cotton in the Tennessee fields, living with my abusive aunt. I came to California in 1976 with $75 in my pocket. A lot of people know what happened next, but I figure if you want to see the full story we talk about it in the book I wrote and the documentary based on it.
How did you get into bodybuilding?
I was living behind a church near Muscle Beach. I was out of money. Homeless. I won Mr. Venice Beach, then Mister Los Angeles. Turns out I had a fan – Arnold himself had been watching me train, and one day he took me through a workout. I guess he liked what he saw because he sent me to Joe Weider’s office for my first article. I wrote about it in the book, and we talked about it in the movie too.
What did your parents think you would be?
When I say I had a rough upbringing, that doesn’t do it justice. My dad was a violent man. Always had a gun in his pocket. He left me with my Aunt Bettie when I was three. My mom tried to get me back, but my aunt chased her off with her shotgun. I never saw my dad again. My mom and I didn’t reconnect for a long time, but she’s happy for me. She lives in Memphis now, and we actually interviewed her for the documentary! She talks about her experience then and how she tried to get me back. I saw Aunt Bettie one more time after I came to California, but if you want that story, you got to watch the movie.
Who were your mentors?
My first trainer was George Turner. He was a tough bastard who ran the best gym in St Louis. Ex-marine, hard as nails, but he saw potential in me. He wanted me to be the best. I was 16 when I started in his gym.
Years after he died they found out he’d written a book that he never published, and he’d mentioned me in it – talked about standing by me counting every rep. I was squatting 365 then, at least according to him. Arnold found me of course and I’m forever happy for him for that.
Then there was Robby Robinson, who they called The Black Prince. He was from Florida, an ex-football player and track/field star. He came to California a year before I did. Joe Weider had brought him there. Having a Black mentor back then meant a lot to me. There was a struggle being a Black athlete then, and he knew that struggle. He’s still training! 75 years old and he’s still going at it. We talk about George Turner a lot in the documentary, and I write all about Robby in the book.
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Bravest thing you’ve done?
I got a one-way bus ticket from St Louis to LA when I was 19. $75 and a friend who turned right around and came home pretty much the second we got off the bus. I was on my own. I didn’t know anyone there. I only knew I wanted to be a bodybuilder, and Venice Beach was where bodybuilders had to be.
I always remember that – I told George Turner I wanted to go to California, and he told me Venice Beach was where I had to be. Gold’s Gym. I was just a kid, and I thought he meant Italy! But he was right. It was hard, and it was scary, but I made it happen.
How do you handle failure?
As a competitive bodybuilder, you lose more than you win. You got to know how to handle that, or you’re gonna lose your mind. I just buckle down, you know? I just buckle down, stay focused, and keep coming back. Keep getting up. Y
You get knocked down, but you keep getting up. Doesn’t matter how many times. I had no support team. There was no team behind me. No doctors, no nutritionist. I had friends and I had mentors, but it was just me from the start.
Who is a talent, actor, director or writer, you are dying to work with?
I’d love to work with Tyler Perry. He had a very similar life story to me. He was poor, Black, from Louisiana. We had a lot in common – we had nasty, horrible childhoods. Both of us are from the deep South, the world was against both of us. Now he’s a powerful Black creative telling amazing stories. Oh, I’d love to work with Tyler.
Of course, I got to shout out my own production team here. Director Andrew Menjivar and producers Cameron A. Mitchell and Thresa Richardson, they really knocked it out of the park with our documentary. They showed me the first proof of concept way back when, twelve minutes long, showing my final competition in Vegas.
I was 65, coming out of retirement to compete one final time. They did something beautiful with it, and I was thrilled to sign on to make a longer feature. It’s not just about my career and my history as a bodybuilder, they tell my story. They show how I went through hell and back and survived.
Lunch, Happy Hour or Dinner
I want to have lunch with Denzel Washington. I love his speeches. When he speaks, you just listen. The man pulls you right in. What a way with words. I actually auditioned for his movie Devil in a Blue Dress in the mid-90s.
I was sitting right next to him for two hours. He came in to watch the guys auditioning. There were maybe 25 of us in there, and the second I took my shirt off they sent me home. My condition was too good I guess, I would have been distracting as just a regular guy.
Denzel is such a great guy, but I think it would be fun to ask him why he passed on me! Maybe I can be in one of his movies now. Maybe it would be less distracting.
Happy Hour with Richard Pryor would be amazing. I can see him now, telling jokes and stories, getting looser the more we have to drink. That one came to me right away. Richard Pryor. One of the greats…
This might be cheating because I know her personally, but dinner with Whoopie Goldberg is always fun. I trained her husband for a long time. Being around Whoopie is great because I’ve known her for thirty years. She makes you so comfortable.
I’ve been in her home, and she cooked for us. She’s so comforting, such a good person. I’m glad to know her.
You would give up your career to go on tour and perform with what singer/band?
They call me the Michael Jackson of bodybuilding, so I got to go with the king of pop. We could moonwalk together on stage.
Colman Domingo is a national treasure. Yes or No.
I don’t know him that well, but he’s great! I don’t follow movies much, I don’t keep up. Let’s go with yes. Colman Domingo is a national treasure. I googled him just now. Colman Domingo, we should work together on something!
Nosebleed seats for Beyoncé or front-row tickets for Taylor Swift?
Of course, I’m gonna go with Taylor Swift! I don’t know much about either artist, but I got to go with the front row. Love the song Single Ladies from Beyoncé, and I catch myself dancing to Taylor’s song Karma in the car all the time.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Junk food. “Oh my god,” people say when they see me eating pizza and cookies. I’m a cookie monster. When I was living in Germany there was a store just under the gym. I’d come up every day with a bag of cookies. “Aren’t you getting ready for a show?” they’d say, but I was still in good shape so I could get away with it. I still do.
Occasionally, not every day. I’m not as young as I used to be, you know. In fact, before the competition in ’94, we’d have a competitors’ meeting, and I’d go in eating carrot cake. I always asked the other guys if they wanted some, and they’d tell me to f-off. I had a super fast metabolism! What can I say?
What’s brewing for your 2024?
I had a great time at the Fit Expo at the end of January! Terrific start to the year. We’re also really pushing marketing for the book and the movie. We released the documentary in October of 2023, and we just want as many people to watch it as we can. I’d love to get more involved with movies. Tyler Perry, Colman Domingo, Denzel, Taylor Swift, if any of you are seeing this and want to work on something, call me!
I’m very passionate about training my clients. I can see the joy in their faces when they watch their bodies change, and it makes me happy to this day. I think as long as I can train I’d want to train with clients. I’ve always loved what I do, and I just want to keep doing it.
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